Glasgow - the city that lives and breathes style!

With a square mile full of every fashionable thrill imaginable, beautiful boutique cafés, some of the country's finest restaurants and chic cocktail bars to show off your new items in, shopping easily rivals football for the title of Glasgwegians' favourite national pastime.

Known as the 'Golden Z' the city centre is a true paradise for lovers of the art of shopping and don't assume it just for the girls either, from niche designers to flagship mega-retailers, Glasgow has options for everyone, how many other cities can claim that?

Complete with outstanding shopping centres, a designers dream in the Merchant City and the quirky, bohemian West End for vintage artisan delights. Our beautiful, trendy, fun-filled city boasts the UK's largest retail concentration outside of London. If you're feeling fancy and why not, you have to at least window shop through the plethora of designer labels such as Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs and Nicholas Kirkwood.

Visit Glasgow for the most talked about shopping destination outside of London, shops to suit every budget, the only thing you have to worry about is fitting it all back in the suitcase!

Intu Braehead

With over 300 luxury and high street brands to browse through, Intu Braehead will cater for every budget and style. The variety of shopping options is endless; there are major department stores such as Primark, M&S, Topshop and Next.

With the amazing Soar at Intu Braehead activity facility right next door, Braehead is amazing to get the latest gear to look good on the slopes as well as a top selection of active wear for the fashion conscious fitness fanatics. Kids will love to spend the day amongst brilliant shops such as The Bear Factory or head to Soar for some mini golfing or bowling and can even burn off some energy at the ice rink. It's an easy shopping center to get round with a toddler, either walking or in a buggy.

If it all gets too much and feel your arms are tiring from your shopping bags, Braehead is a genuinely pleasant place to be. The whole shopping centre is clean and airy, with plenty of seats dotted around for a quick rest. Braehead has a brilliant and varied food court to suit all tastebuds. Whatever your taste, there is a dining option for everyone, why not grab a quick bite from Handmade Burger Co, Pizza Hut or one of the great ice cream parlours?

Braehead is a fantastic day out, especially if the weather is against you. Stay happy and dry as you move explore the shops with friends, grab a tasty meal with the family or catch a movie with a loved one.

Buchanan Street

The famous 'Style Mile', the hugely popular area refers to the square mile in the very centre of Glasgow. Our city's own Champs Elysees, its high street heaven!

From the Opera House look down the hill and see Glasgow at it lively best. The fully pedestrian boulevard of Buchanan Street is bursting with the top international brands such as Nike, Topshop, Zara, Apple and Karen Millen. Stunning architecture and crowd pleasing street acrobatics and pipe-bands ensure that Buchanan Street is always alive.

Souvenir shopping

For the tourist seeking a traditional Scottish gift to take back home, Glasgow typically does souvenirs with a bit more taste. There is a great selection of authentic, distinctive tourist treats that shy away from the usual tacky souvenir shops found around the globe.

Buchanan Galleries

At the other end of Buchanan Street is the city's largest shopping centre. Full to the brim with flagship stores, famous high street names and excellent niche shops, there is a superb choice for clothing, gifts and accessories. In fact there are 90 great quality shops including River Island, Hollister, GAP and H&M.

The centre is well designed, clean and has plenty of seating to catch a rest. One thing you can be sure of is hours enjoying shopping bliss inside the Buchanan Galleries.

Princes Square

For some exquisite, designer items to add to your wardrobe, Princess Square is Glasgow's most sophisticated shopping spots. Nestled underneath a beautiful stained glass Art Nouveau roof, take a quick ride up the glamorous escalators to the 3 floors of iconic brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Ted Baker, Reiss and Kurt Geiger as well as some of Scotland's finest boutique delights.

Merchant City

This area of Glasgow is famous for relaxed shopping in a stunning, glamorous setting. A shopping retreat in itself, it houses Glasgow's most exclusive designer brands.

With upscale eateries, chic wine bars, beautiful works of art and more designer stores than most cities, any style-conscious individual will be in nirvana. Under the gaze of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), the Italian Centre' renaissance sculptures and Italian inspired façades is Glasgow's cool, contemporary place to find the world famous Italian designers. Indulge with Versace (the UK's first store), Armani, Cruise and Gucci or sip an espresso in one of the many lovely cafés.

The West End

Over the other side of the city you'll find Glasgow's West End, buzzing with low key boutiques and some of Glasgow's coolest café delis. There are no big malls here, just plenty of bespoke stores aching with Glasgow style.

Quirky indie stores to hunt down the best vintage clothes, small funky gems in which you'll discover lovely, unexpected gifts. Book shops filled with passion and character, cute cafés to watch the world go by in and hidden antique treasures that you won't find anywhere else - a trip to the West End is definitely recommended.